The Joint Convergence Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in April 2009, attempts to bring about inter-sectoral convergence in the various watershed management programmes being implemented by the different departments under the MoRD. In particular, it deals with the convergence between the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) being implemented by the Department of Rural Development (DoRD) and the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) being implemented by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR).

The objective is to establish synergy among different government programmes in planning and implementation, so as to optimise use of public investments towards achieving sustainable livelihoods.

The guidelines spell out the convergence areas as well as the modalities in operational terms like institutional systems at various levels. It also details the areas where coordination between these programmes is needed at various levels of management, planning and implementation of works. The guiding principles, cost norms, mechanisms for monitoring, evaluation and review are also clarified in the guidelines. In conclusion, the guidelines spell out the non-negotiables for work done under NREGA.